Weak oil, food prices dampen U.S. imported inflation

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. import prices recorded their largest decline in nearly two years in May as energy and food costs fell, government data showed on Tuesday, pointing to muted inflation pressures. Overall import prices fell 1.0 percent, the biggest drop since June 2010, the Labor Department said. April's data was revised to show a flat reading instead of the previously reported 0.5 percent drop. The decline last month was in line with economists' expectations. In the 12 months to May, import prices fell 0.3 percent, posting their first year-on-year decline since October 2009. ...

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Import prices in April recorded their largest drop in 10 months as energy costs tumbled, according to a government report on Thursday that also showed tame underlying inflation pressures from imports. Overall import prices fell 0.5 percent, the Labor Department said. March's data was revised to show a 1.5 percent increase rather than the previously reported 1.3 percent gain. Economists polled by Reuters had expected prices to fall 0.2 percent last month. In the 12 months to April, import prices increased 0.5 percent, the weakest reading since October 2009. ...

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer prices recorded their biggest decline in six years in December and underlying inflation pressures were benign, which could bolster the case for delaying the first interest rate increase from the Federal Reserve.
The Labor Department said on Friday its Consumer Price Index fell 0.4% last month, the largest drop since December 2008, after sliding 0.3% in November. In the 12 months through December, CPI increased 0.8%.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Import prices rose in February on sharply higher petroleum costs, but there were little signs of underlying imported inflation pressures as food prices posted their largest decline in three years. Overall import prices rose 0.4 percent, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. January's data was revised to show a flat reading instead of the previously reported 0.3 percent increase. Economists polled by Reuters had expected prices to rise 0.6 percent last month. The dollar fell 1. ...

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer prices fell for the first time in nearly 1-1/2 years in August and underlying inflation pressures were muted, which could lessen the urgency for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.
The Labor Department said on Wednesday its Consumer Price Index declined 0.2% last month as a broad decline in energy prices offset increases in food and shelter costs.
It was the first drop since April last year and followed a 0.1% gain in July.

WASHINGTON — U.S. producer prices recorded their largest drop in three years in April as gasoline and food costs tumbled, pointing to weak inflation pressures that should give the Federal Reserve latitude to keep monetary policy very accommodative.
The Labor Department said on Wednesday its seasonally adjusted producer price index fell 0.7% last month, the biggest decline since February 2010. Wholesale prices had dropped 0.6% in March.